John Barnes tells Liverpool to focus on the Premier League

Liverpool legend John Barnes has told Sky Sports that Liverpool’s focus should be on moving up the league, not success in the cup competitions this season.

The Reds finished eighth in the table last season, missing out on both Europa League and Champions League football.

They did however reach the Capital One cup final and the Europa League final as they thrived in the cup competitions instead.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp

This season the expectation is that they will challenge for a top four place, especially considering the money they have spent in the summer transfer window.

And Barnes insists that their focus must be on moving up the league rather than thriving in the cups once again.

"The aim for Liverpool this season should be pushing up the league and challenging,” he told Sky Sports.

"Liverpool must aim to finish as close as possible to the top in terms of points, which would mean we're competing with whoever wins the league. That would be success: Liverpool right in the mix with the best teams."

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool can challenge for a top four spot or higher this season.

They face a stern fight to do so given that the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United are also looking to bounce back and compete with last season's top four.

Sean Lunt

Sean Lunt is a Journalism and Spanish graduate with a passion for football. As an avid Everton fan he has survived the Walter Smith era, enjoyed the resurgence under David Moyes and is now wholly embracing the Spanish revolution with Roberto Martinez. Away from Everton he follows the rest of the football league and has a particular interest in La Liga.